PHOENIX — A bobcat believed to have attacked multiple people, sending three to the hospital, is dead after a fight with a German shepherd, authorities said. State health officials confirmed that the bobcat later tested positive for rabies.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office suspects the bobcat was involved in four separate attacks from Sunday to Monday.
The first bobcat attack took place near Inscription Canyon in Prescott, leaving a man with injuries that required hospitalization.
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Then, early Monday morning, a similar attack left a woman injured near Greenbrier Drive off Williamson Valley Road. This second attack was around 7 1/2 miles away from the first, YCSO said.
The bobcat’s reign of terror ended when it came upon a person walking their dog in a nearby neighborhood. Their German shepherd intervened, fending off and killing the bobcat. However, the dog was left injured and is receiving veterinary treatment.
After this incident, investigators learned of a fourth attack involving another neighbor’s dog, although YCSO didn’t say when that attack took place or if the other dog left the encounter unscathed.
Anyone who believes their pet was attacked this weekend in the Williamson Valley area is urged to report the incident to the Arizona Game & Fish Department and seek immediate veterinary treatment.
Three of the people who were hurt in the bobcat attacks sustained cuts and bites.
YCSO said the reason it believes the same animal was involved in all four attacks is because this is extremely rare behavior for bobcats.
Rabies warning issued for Williamson Valley area
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is urging residents in the Williamson Valley area to stay vigilant following the rabies-positive test, warning that other wild animals could also be infected.
“The weather is warming up and people are outside,” said Dr. Ann Fan, AZGFD wildlife veterinarian. “At this time of year, we often see an uptick in the number of wildlife submitted for rabies testing as a result of contact with people or their pets.”
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